Two killed in light aircraft crash

5:09PM BST 01 Apr 2002

TWO people were killed when a light aircraft crashed today near a south Wales reservoir.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions said that the Piper PA38 plane had disappeared off radar screens at 10.10am and was later located by the police on the hillside several miles north of Newport.

Inspector Mike Cottrell, of Gwent Police, said the plane that crashed was a two-seater.

"It is believed there were two people on board at the time. We cannot confirm any fatalities at this time because it is still in the very early stages of this investigation and we are still searching the area," he added.

In a statement from Gwent Police, Superintendent David Wormald said: "At 12.45pm a civilian light aircraft, on what was believed to have been a routine flight, crashed on a hillside above Cwmbran.

"Police officers and other emergency services are currently at the scene and the Civil Aviation Authority has been informed."

A spokesman for the police said that the rescue operation had been hampered because the area of the crash could only be reached by four-wheel drive vehicles and helicopter.